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Michael Noetel, PhD
Academic and High Performance Psychologist
With my work, I want to do the most good that I can. Through my career, I want to help others do the same. For those who want to improve the world, I provide the knowledge and skills so they can do it best. I use methods like systematic reviews and meta-analyses to try and figure out the best approach to problems. Then I use online educational interventions to deploy those approaches cost-effectively, at scale. I use theory and evidence to make those interventions compelling, time-efficient, and effective.
Summary of Teaching
I use evidence-informed decision-making both in the content of what I teach and in the process of how I teach. I teach students how to think critically using evidence, and I build professional skills supported by systematic reviews. I use the same philosophy in my own teaching, using pedagogical approaches supported by top level evidence. I lead others to follow this approach, both through collaborations and coaching programs I established.
Leadership
- Led or mentored lead for 6 university teaching development grants (totalling $134,750)
- Co-founded INSPIRE, a world-first evidence-centre for learning and teaching in universities. We create, curate, and disseminate evidence for what works in higher ed.
- Program director (Academic) for the Master of Psychology Program since 2023.
Accolades
- Received 9 awards for teaching including an AAUT, a SFHEA, and a VC’s Award
- Average student evaluations of learning and teaching of 4.8 / 5 after 2,390 students
Summary of Research
I have research experience on large projects with many stakeholders, complex issues, and international research teams. To meet those challenges, I use best-in-class research management processes to do rigorous, impactful, and reproducible work (e.g., Asana, Agile research, Scrum). I use my subject matter expertise in leadership and high performance psychology to help my teams to do high-performance research.
Grants
- Chief investigator on $3,694,120 of competitive Category 1 grants
- Average yearly grant income over 3x higher than the sector weighted benchmark
- Grant collaborators at University of Oxford, University of British Columbia, University of Helsinki, University of Birmingham, Northeastern University, & University of Otago
Publications
- Scopus m-index of 4.1 where > 2 ‘characterizes outstanding scientists, likely to be found only at the top universities or major research laboratories’
- Category normalised citation index of 3.7; 53% of papers in the top 10% for citations
- Published in the SJR #1 journals for psychology, experimental psychology, aging, paediatrics, education (three times), and sport science (twice)
Impact & Engagement
- Developed the content for award winning, scalable physical activity program (published in JAMA Pediatrics), delivered to 190 schools, helping over 50,000 students
- Developed the content for a coach leadership and athlete resilience project, scaled worldwide to 500 clubs and 20,000 boys
- All 4 current Cat. 1 grants have industry partners, such as the NSW Departments of Education and Health
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Australian Catholic University
North Sydney, NSW
2019
Masters of Applied Psychology (Sport and Exercise)
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD
2010
Bachelor of Science (Advanced, Honours)
Double Major: Psychology; Computational Science
University of Sydney
Camperdown, NSW
2008
Academic Experience
Associate Professor - Teaching and Research
School of Psychology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD
Present - 2025
Senior Lecturer - Teaching and Research
School of Psychology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD
2024 - 2022
Accreditations
Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
AdvanceHE
N/A
Present - 2020
Endorsed Sport and Exercise Psychologist
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
N/A
Present - 2014
Board Approved Supervisor
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
N/A
Present - 2015
Awards
Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Australian Catholic University
N/A
2021
Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award: Excellence in Research & Research Partnership
Australian Catholic University
N/A
2021
iPLAY Team
Faculty of Health Sciences Employee Values Award
Australian Catholic University
N/A
2021
Excellence and Innovation in Public Health Education and Research (Team Award)
Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia
N/A
2021
iPLAY Team
Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Australian Awards for University Teaching
N/A
2020
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Australian Catholic University
N/A
2019
Top Publications
Noetel M., et al. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ
— 134 citations
N/A
2024
Ahmadi A., et al. (2023). A Classification System for Teachers’ Motivational Behaviors Recommended in Self-Determination Theory Interventions. Journal of Educational Psychology
— 156 citations
N/A
2023
Wilhite K., et al. (2023). Combinations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep Duration and Their Associations With Physical, Psychological, and Educational Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Epidemiology
— 64 citations
N/A
2023
Gallardo-Gómez D., et al. (2022). Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and bayesian model-based network meta-analysis of RCTs. Ageing Research Reviews
— 116 citations
N/A
2022
Noetel M., et al. (2022). Multimedia Design for Learning: An Overview of Reviews With Meta-Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research
— 67 citations
N/A
2022
Noetel M., et al. (2021). Video Improves Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review. Review of Educational Research
— 175 citations
N/A
2021
Vella S.A., et al. (2021). An Intervention for Mental Health Literacy and Resilience in Organized Sports. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
— 78 citations
N/A
2021
Noetel M., et al. (2019). Mindfulness and acceptance approaches to sporting performance enhancement: a systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology
— 151 citations
N/A
2019
Valkenborghs S.R., et al. (2019). The impact of physical activity on brain structure and function in youth: A systematic review. Pediatrics
— 128 citations
N/A
2019
Sanders T., et al. (2019). Type of screen time moderates effects on outcomes in 4013 children: Evidence from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
— 102 citations
N/A
2019
Beetham K.S., et al. (2019). The effects of vigorous intensity exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
— 99 citations
N/A
2019
Vella S.A., et al. (2018). Ahead of the game protocol: A multi-component, community sport-based program targeting prevention, promotion and early intervention for mental health among adolescent males. BMC Public Health
— 61 citations
N/A
2018
Media coverage
I’ve worked to get my research out into the public to change practice. For example, I was invited on national primetime TV for my paper in Nature Human Behaviour.
Exercise for depression
CNN, The Times, BBC, Good Morning America, The Australian, The Conversation, ABC Radio National, Triple J, Triple M, Hit Radio and more
N/A
2024
Effective altruism
ABC Religion & Ethics, ABC Radio National, 2GB, ABC Radio Canberra, ABC Radio Hobart
N/A
2021
Top Research Grants
Promotion of evidence-based physical activity for older adults and people with disabilities by health professionals
National Health and Medical Research Council (PRC1: 2011157; $1,440,375)
N/A
2025 - 2022
Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a time-efficient school-based physical activity intervention for adolescents living with disability
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF: 2007095; $736,399)
N/A
2023 - 2021
Square eyes or all lies? Understanding children’s exposure to screens
Australian Research Council Discovery Project (Ref: DP200101912; $658,544)
N/A
2023 - 2020
PLAY for Inclusion — Teachers working with children with intellectual disability
Move It AUS - Participation Grants Program (Ref: PAR006502018; $268,802)
N/A
2020 - 2019
Engaging students during the early years of secondary school (iTEACH Project)
Australian Research Council Discovery Project (Ref: DP160102625; $590,000)
N/A
2020 - 2016
Engagement
Australian Institute of Sport
National Quality Assurance Steering Committee
N/A
2022 - 2021
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists (CSEP)
N/A
2021 - 2015
— National Treasurer: 2015-2017; 2019-2021
— NSW Chair: 2015-2017
— QLD Chair: 2019-2021
Effective Altruism Australia
Director and Chairperson
N/A
Present - 2021
Effective Altruism Global x Australasia Conference
Organising Committee
N/A
Present - 2023